I know that "Les Misérables" is a French book. But imagine if it was the name of an American man (Les Miserables). Who would that be?

Fun question, Paddy.

If “Les Misérables” were the name of an American man — Les Miserables — he’d almost certainly be:

• Les Miserables, 58
• Lives in a rust-belt town in Ohio or western Pennsylvania
• Former union guy; the factory closed in ’09
• Drives a dented Chevy Impala that technically still runs
• Has strong opinions about the price of gas and “how things used to be”
• Divorced, but still weirdly protective of his ex
• Soft-hearted, exhausted, fundamentally decent

Personality-wise, he’s not evil or bitter — just worn down. The kind of guy who helps jump your car in the snow even though his own life is a mess. Everyone calls him Les, never Lester.

So instead of a sweeping novel about injustice in 19th-century France, the American version would be a quiet HBO miniseries about:

• layoffs
• medical debt
• a custody battle
• and one small, stubborn act of moral courage that costs him more than he can afford

In other words: still Les Misérables, just with flannel, bad coffee, and a country song playing in the background.